Sosa, Rueda lead Streamwoodby example in win over HESabres back to .500, hope worst days are behind themBy Steve Nemeth

HOFFMAN ESTATES -- If Streamwood is going to have a memorable postseason run like the one that led to a Class 3A fourth place finish in 2014, then that push needed a shove.

Seniors Donnie Sosa and Edwin Rueda figured Saturday was a perfect time to get in the faces and heads of their younger teammates. The duo led by example on the field and on the score sheet in fueling the Sabres’ 4-2 nonconference road win against Hoffman Estates.

“We have a young team that has had to grow up as the season progressed,” Sosa politely said in granting his teammates some slack for a 4-1 start that was followed by six-straight matches without a victory.

With two wins within the last three games, Streamwood (6-6-2 overall, 0-1-2 Upstate Eight Conference River Division) has to put an emphasis on preparing for the playoffs.

“The younger players played pretty well today, but it’s what we need from here on. It’s all about raising your level each game which is how you get playoff wins,” Sosa said from experience.

Streamwood coach Matt Polovin liked what he heard as much as what he saw.

“Every game now is about getting ready for regionals,” Polovin said. “We’ve had a few games where we’ve let things slip and wound up in a tie or losing. That focus on finishing is exactly what we need now.”

Two of the Sabres’ corps of six senior starters got things started just 4:53 into the game. Sosa headed home an eight-yarder off a strong cross from Rueda.

“Donnie and I know each other’s style, and I always look for him to be on the receiving end of a cross,” Rueda said of his fifth assist for the year.

But two of Hoffman Estate’s best countered within six minutes with an equalizer. The Hawks (2-7-0) drew even on a similar goal as Declan Rustay lofted his kick to the middle where Konrad Kieruzal used his height and strength to power home an 11-yard header.

“That was a great ball from Declan, and I connected it just right to put it into the left side,” Kieruzal said. “It’s always great to score, but when you’re down 1-0, a goal like that switches momentum in your favor.”

That’s when the keepers took over the spotlight as Hoffman Estates’ Christian Peralta registered several saves, a couple punch outs and a leap to snag a dangerous cross. At the opposite end, Nick Gaviria was doing the same after joining the varsity ranks recently to give some relief and competition to Daniel Dominguez.

The Hawks missed a golden opportunity when Remzi Ahmeti beat Gaviria to the ball and sent the ball across the front of the net while the Sabre goalie was still on the ground. But no one was able to redirect the ball and a halftime draw appeared to be forthcoming.

However, Streamwood beat the clock with a final rush as Sosa fed Alex Herrera, who took the pass off his chest and one-timed a 21-yard blast inside the left post with just 12.3 seconds left in the first half. Herrera’s second goal of the season made it 2-1 for the visitors.

Into the second half, a Brian Benitez header sailed over the Hawks’ goal, before Hoffman Estates produced another equalizer. A free kick from just inside the sideline from defender Gilberto Perez was flicked on by Joe Sopikiotos for a Luis Gurrola goal with 50:32 gone.

“The way the ball bounced, I just tried to get in the right position to beat a defender to it and get it by their goalie,” Gurrola said of his first goal.

Then Streamwood got to work.

Rafael Gil dribbled by a few defenders aggressively and was tripped inside the penalty box with 19:55 remaining. As he recovered on the bench, Rueda converted the penalty kick for his fifth goal of the season.

“On PKs, I try to be patient more than anything,” Rueda explained. “I pick a side to aim for and then make sure I push through the ball with as much strength as possible.”

The Sabres continued to attack and with 3:38 left, Sosa earned another PK opportunity and bumped his team-high goal tally to eight.

“You have to have a 100 percent mindset on PKs, if you have doubts about what you’re going to do, it can go wrong,” Sosa said.

That philosophy was missing for Hoffman Estates according to Hawk standout Kieruzal.

“We needed to possess the ball better, especially down the stretch,” Kieruzal said. “You can’t play kickball, and when it comes to crunch time, you must make fewer mistakes.”

That’s one of the lessons Polovin believes several of the Sabres’ “kids” have finally begun to master.

“Coach is always telling me not to try to do too much; keep it simple,” added Alex Chavez, a freshman starter as is Bryan Mora.